ABC cuts away from race to show silly videos

Media General News Service
Published: November 12, 2008

AVONDALE, Ariz. – ABC cut away from its broadcast of the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 with 30 miles to go - at 7:30 p.m. - to switch to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Desperate Housewives” on the East Coast.

There was no immediate comment from NASCAR executives about the decision by ABC, which moved coverage of the final miles to ESPN2.

“To go to ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’? Man, that hurts,“ race winner Jimmie Johnson said with a wry grimace after his seventh win of the year.

The race at Phoenix International Raceway was round nine of NASCAR’s 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, and Johnson will go to Homestead, Fla., this week for the tour finale with a 141-point lead over second-place Carl Edwards. Johnson needs only to finish 36th or better in the final race to take the title.

Rick Hendrick, Johnson’s car owner, said the ABC move “doesn’t say much” about the importance of NASCAR’s championship in ABC’s eyes. “I’m disappointed,“ Hendrick said. “I’m glad my phone went dead.“

The ABC cutaway stunned Jamie McMurray, who finished third and who has been running strong the past month: “It seems a little odd to me, as big as NASCAR is, and as many people as watch this sport. I can’t imagine being a race fan on the East Coast and watching this race and then them going to that. …

“I could see it if the President were speaking, ... but I just can’t believe that America’s Funniest Home Videos would take priority over us.“